Gundagai holds off fast-finishing Temora to create history with back-to-back titles

Tallon Smith

The Gundagai Tigers held off a late charge from Temora to secure back-to-back Group 9 premierships in consecutive seasons for the first time in the club’s history with a 24-16 victory in the grand final at Geohex Park on Sunday.

After Gundagai crossed four times in the first half to open up a 22-0 lead at the break, the Dragons fought back with three tries in 12 minutes to mount a late challenge, but ultimately fell short of replicating last week’s 18-point comeback in the preliminary final against Southcity.

First-year Gundagai captain-coach Hayden Ashcroft said he was honoured to lead the club through a title defence, with his role as mentor of the side making the victory even more special than last year’s win over Wagga Kangaroos.

“It’s obviously a really good feeling, still probably something that hasn’t really settled in yet to be honest,” he said.

“If you look back 12 months ago, I wouldn’t have thought there was a feeling that would have topped that win last year, but to be given the reins and the opportunity this year to coach and be able to lead these boys to another premiership, it’s really exciting and a really fond moment that I’m fortunate enough to be able to share with the club.

“I’m very happy with how things went, to be honest I think we’ve had such a great year.

“We’ve got such a great club and a number of great blokes in and around the team that just makes my job easier.

“[I’m] very proud to be able to lead these blokes out, there’s a lot of talent in this team, and there’s a lot of blokes that have had success over the years so to be able to go back-to-back and make some history here at a small town like Gundagai, it means a lot to myself and my family.”

Will Herring runs in to score Gundagai’s third try in the grand final (Photo: Tahlia Crane)

After both sides had early chances, Gundagai struck first 13 minutes in when centre Gabriel Gul crossed, before Royce Tout crashed over from short range to extend the Tigers’ lead to 10-0 soon after.

That advantage grew further when centre James Morgan stepped back inside on a right side shift and linked with fullback Will Herring who raced in to score, and when Mark Asquith scored the side’s fourth leading into half time, Gundagai was up 22-0.

That scoreline remained until the 59th minute, when back rower Brodie Mirtschin found Drew Robinson with an offload to send the winger over in the left hand corner for Temora’s first points of the afternoon.

From there, the tide turned, with some individual brilliance from fullback Hamish Starr creating a second Dragons try for Billy Reardon to close the gap to 22-10.

Repeated penalties saw Gundagai reduced to 12 men with just over 10 to play when hooker Wilson Hamblin was sin-binned, and Temora capitalised against the undermanned Tigers with five-eighth Lachie Cole crossing off a scrum to close the gap to two.

However, an error off the following set saw the momentum halted, and when the Tigers were presented with an opportunity off a penalty in the ensuing set, the defending premiers extended the margin beyond a converted try and held on from there to record an eight point victory.

Gundagai lock Royce Tout was awarded the John Hill Medal as best on ground (Photo: Tahlia Crane)

The John Hill Medal for best on ground went to Gundagai lock Tout, who led from the front in the middle and crossed for a try in a complete grand final performance.

Ashcroft said Gundagai put an emphasis on winning the battle against the Dragons’ pack, which Tout played a crucial role in, and was pleased to see him rewarded for his efforts.

“We spoke about Temora going into this game that we really needed to come out of the blocks early and really get a good start on it, which I think we did,” he said.

“The first 40 was crucial for us, and I think it was just through the middle that we were too strong, and that was led off the back of Touty, big strong carries, obviously came up with a try there.

“As a front rower myself, it’s always pleasing to see someone win the John Hill as a forward.

“I think there’s a lot of work that happens in the middle that sometimes [goes] unrecognised through outside backs scoring points.

“I think there was a number of blokes that it could have gone to, but very well deserved in Royce getting that.”

Gundagai centre Gabriel Gul charges towards the line (Photo: Tahlia Crane)

Aside from being their first consecutive titles, the victory marks the Tigers’ sixth premiership in the past 11 seasons, a remarkable record for the smallest town in the competition.

When asked about what that means to the people of Gundagai, Ashcroft said while they have been fortunate to experience plenty of success in recent times, their contribution is a major part in keeping the club on top of the Group 9 world.

“They’ve been fortunate enough that they’ve won a lot of premierships in recent years, but it means a lot,” he said.

“It just goes to show that the town is full of great people, they’ve got a lot of support here, through fans, sponsors and everything in between.

“We just drive success here at this town, and that’s through a lot of support and love from the town.

“It’s always nice to be able to ultimately get that success and be able to share that experience with the town.”

Gundagai’s win is the side’s second victory over Temora in three weeks following its 42-6 win in the major semi final, also marks the first time any club has gone back-to-back in Group 9 since Southcity in 2016-17.

The Tigers did win the 2020 and 2022 premierships either side of the 2021 COVID-19 cancelled season.

Gundagai players celebrate after Gabriel Gul scored the first try of Sunday’s grand final (Photo: Tahlia Crane)

Burley ‘disappointed but proud’ after falling at the final hurdle

For the Dragons, the defeat is a heartbreaking way to finish a stellar season in which the club captured its second minor premiership in four years and reached the grand final for the first time since 2006.

Temora coach Jordon Burley said while he was disappointed by the result, at the same time he was proud of the effort the side showed to go within eight points of breaking a 20-year premiership drought.

“Obviously devastated not to get the job done yesterday, that’s probably the first thing that comes to mind, but at the same time just so proud of the group, so proud of the club as a whole,” he said.

“We’ve had, I’d call it a successful year, it doesn’t feel like it right now, but obviously to make our first grand final in 20 years and to have the ressies in there and then our league tag as well who won it, it’s been a great year.

“We were runners-up at West Wyalong Knockout as well, so if you look at those things, you could say it was a pretty successful year, but it doesn’t really account to too much if you can’t get it done.

“Disappointed but proud at the same time.”

Fullback Hamish Starr set up Temora’s second try in Sunday’s decider (Photo: Tahlia Crane)

As for the resilience and courage the side showed to get back into the contest after facing a 22-point half time deficit, Burley said it was just another example of the belief the side has consistently shown throughout 2026, including in last week’s preliminary final, but ultimately this week the mountain was too big.

“Our belief is something that we’ve looked to all year, and I asked for a response at half time and I definitely got one,” he said.

“We probably gave away just one too many in that first half.

“We gave away some crucial penalties that led to tries, but to fight back the way we did, it could have swung either way there for a minute, so just super proud of the boys.”

Temora’s Drew Robinson collides with Gundagai pair Corey Wilson and James Morgan (Photo: Tahlia Crane)

The match also marked Burley’s final game in charge of the side, with the Griffith-based coach stepping down to spend more time with his young family.

The outgoing Temora mentor said he loved his time in Group 9, but notified the club of his decision early to give it plenty of time to prepare for the 2027 campaign.

“I stood down a month or so ago, just so the club could lock in their future, and it was probably the best thing for the club to be able to plan ahead, and I just want to spend a bit more time with my girls at home,” Burley said.

“[I] absolutely love Group 9, it’s just been such a good year, Temora’s just such an amazing club, and definitely no regrets, I’ve absolutely loved it, and who knows what the future holds.”

GUNDAGAI 24 (Gabriel Gul, Royce Tout, Will Herring, Mark Asquith tries; Corey Wilson 4 goals) DEFEATED TEMORA 16 (Drew Robinson, Billy Reardon, Lachie Cole tries; Jake McGovern 2 goals) at Geohex Park, Sunday September 20.